New pope to choose symbolic name

As the conclave to elect a new pope begins Wednesday, the cardinal chosen to succeed Pope Francis will reveal his papal name in Latin — a centuries-old tradition steeped in symbolism and historical weight.

From Pius to Clement, Hilarius to Simplicius, papal names have long reflected the legacies — noble or notorious — of those who have led the Roman Catholic Church. With so much weight placed on the significance of the papal moniker, the cardinals must choose wisely.

The practice of adopting a new name began in the sixth century when Mercurius, an ordinary priest, was elected pope. Believing he could not serve with a pagan name, he took the name John, arguing that if Christ had renamed Simon as Peter, the first pope, then future popes could do the same.

Since then, only one — Adrian VI in the 16th century — has kept his baptismal name.

In 2013, Argentine Jorge Bergoglio became the first pope to take the name Francis after Saint Francis of Assisi, a 13th-century mystic who renounced his wealth and devoted his life to the poor.

"Bookmakers had been betting he would call himself Leo — which means lion."

Some papal names are associated with peace and theology, while others evoke controversy. There has not been a pope named Celestine since 1294, when a reluctant hermit assumed the role, only to resign five months later.

"He was immortalized by the Italian poet Dante, who placed him in Hell for his 'great refusal.'"

Francis's predecessor, Benedict XVI, also resigned from the papacy, prompting speculation that choosing names like Benedict XVII or Celestine VI might signal a potential future resignation.

Over the past five centuries, a small group of names — Clement, Gregory, Pius, Paul, Benedict — have dominated papal history. Some analysts believe the next pope may choose one of these or a composite name.

In 1978, John Paul I became the first to combine two papal names, honoring the leaders of the Second Vatican Council. His successor, John Paul II, retained the name to pay tribute after John Paul I died just 33 days into his papacy.

Those aiming to follow Francis’s example may choose John Paul III, or even just John, in honor of "Good Pope John" XXIII, who initiated the Second Vatican Council and vowed to open the Church to the world.

The name Pius may seem spiritually appropriate, but Pius XII’s controversial silence during World War II led critics to nickname him "Hitler’s Pope."

Gregory and Alexander carry their own baggage. Gregory VII, elected in 1073, was accused of necromancy and torturing opponents using a bed of nails. Alexander VI, from the infamous Borgia family, was known for "throwing wild orgies inside the papal palace."

One of the most disturbing stories in papal history involves ninth-century Pope Stephen VII, who had his predecessor Formosus’s corpse exhumed, dressed in papal vestments, and placed on trial.

"Formosus was found guilty, the fingers he used to give blessings were chopped off, and his body was tossed in the river Tiber — an ungracious end which makes it unlikely that anyone will choose the name Formosus II, regardless of whether or not the trial was fair."

The name Peter is widely considered off-limits. "It would be a brave man who named himself Peter II." According to a prophecy attributed to a 12th-century saint, the next Peter’s reign would bring about the destruction of Rome and the Apocalypse.

As cardinals prepare to elect the 267th pope, their decision will carry both spiritual and symbolic meaning. The name chosen will echo across history — shaping how the world views the new pontiff and the future of the Catholic Church.